Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Place Services.

(a)           That entering into a Shared Service Agreement for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management with South West Flood and Coastal (BCP Council & East Devon District Council) be supported.

(b)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services to negotiate, authorise and enter into the Shared Service Agreement, following Dorset Council’s governance processes for entering into agreements.

Reason for the decision

Joining the partnership would deliver climate resilience, increased external funding, stronger local networks, improved service capacity, and reduced reliance on consultancy support, whilst enabling closer collaboration with local councils and the Environment Agency.

The Cabinet Member for Place Services presented a report on the proposal for Dorset Council to join the South West Flood and Coastal (SWFaC) shared service. He further advised that the aim of the partnership would strengthen the council’s capacity to manage flood and coastal erosion risks, improve access to specialist expertise and external funding, and enhance regional collaboration.

In response to questions and concerns, the Cabinet Member for Place Services confirmed that the BCP Council was responsible for the management of the partnership, but there was a governance procedure in place, and these details were set out in the report.

In answering a question about the non-involvement of the Overview Committee with this particular item, the Director for Legal Services explained that there was no requirement in the constitution for proposed all new policies to be considered by an Overview Committee before being presented to Cabinet. He added that this proposal had been brought forward more quickly due to the need to respond to recent flooding and severe weather events.

Following a question from a member regarding staffing and resources, the Chief Executive explained that this was an important operational function for Dorset Council to strengthen, and that the proposed approach was the quickest and most effective way of addressing the issue. She added that the work required under the Section 19 investigations necessitated a resilient team with sufficient resources to support those inquiries. From an operational perspective, this was considered the most appropriate way forward.

It was proposed by Cllr J Andrews and seconded by Cllr S Clifford

Decision

(a)           That entering into a Shared Service Agreement for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management with South West Flood and Coastal (BCP Council & East Devon District Council) be supported.

(b)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services to negotiate, authorise and enter into the Shared Service Agreement, following Dorset Council’s governance processes for entering into agreements.

Reason for the decision

Joining the partnership would deliver climate resilience, increased external funding, stronger local networks, improved service capacity, and reduced reliance on consultancy support, whilst enabling closer collaboration with local councils and the Environment Agency.